Things I've Learned

Some of the Things in Life I Have Learned Thus Far:

1. Defense is only necessary when offense is being run.
2. People are easily offended, particularly when the truth is spoken.
3. Children may not remember what you say but they will remember how you make them feel.
4. Old people really aren't that old and they really do know more than they let on.
5. Money always affects the minds and hearts of those who have it.
6. Being hateful is not necessary in most cases.
7.  The Bible is not meant to be argued.  It is meant to be read and believed.
8. True friends in life are few and far between.  If you find them, keep them.
9. Children truly are blessings from the Lord.
10.  If you are going to love, love with all of your heart or not at all.  Half-way loving someone only leaves them feeling confused.
11.  Priorities are clearly displayed in daily activities.
12. The masses will never have enough backbone to stand up for what they truly believe in.
13. Husbands are what you make of them. They will be to you what you are to them.
14. Christians are only human.  Don't place them on a pedestal you wouldn't be willing to put yourself on.
15.  Jesus is real!
16.  Don't teach your children that some family members are not okay to be around and then expect them to love them when they grow up.
17.  Advice is only accepted when it is wanted, otherwise, it just causes anger.
18.  You have to teach your children how to be proper spouses or they will have many unnecessary lessons to learn when they find spouses of their own.
19.  'God made me this way' is simply an excuse to justify one's sinful actions.
20.  Presentation is only half of the battle.
21.  Listen more, talk less.
22.  There is nothing wrong with taking a stand.  Whatever you stand for you must stand for firmly otherwise you will be swayed this way and that. No one will be sure what it is you stand for.
23.  Once a friendship is broken it is hard to repair it.
24.  Burned bridges are rarely rebuilt.
25.  If you have something to say, say it to the person to whom it applies or keep it to yourself.
26. Don't believe it just because you read it or hear it.  Research it for yourself.
27. Doctors don't know everything. 
28. You can learn most anything you are willing to work for/towards.
29. Wrong decisions last a lifetime.
30.  Verbal and mental abuse are never acceptable and can be overcome.
31.  If you are a person like me, who offends many people, take heart.  You can't make everybody happy all the time but you can make some people happy some of the time.

Word of the Day
Offense -the act of attacking or assaulting.

When the Strong Become Weak

Have you ever felt like queen of the mountain?  Have you ever just known within yourself that no matter what came your way you could handle it?  What happens when that strength leaves?  It can leave for any reason - age, health, economy, finances, or difficult circumstances.  Let me relate a little story or two from a personal perspective.

I used to feel like superwoman.  I used to think I could handle anything.  I was a vet tech.  Blood and guts were no big deal to me.  Rough people were no big deal to me.  Now, blood makes me want to vomit and rough people make me want to hide.  What has happened?

I took my son to the dentist.  He had 6 teeth pulled.  This is when my revelation to my weakness really came to full view.  As he opened his mouth to show me the new holes where teeth once had been, I almost lost it.  (My stomach contents that is).  My son, however, then put his head on my shoulder and began to cry.  At this point I realized I must be the strong one.  What has happened?

I have kidney stones.  I have LOTS of kidney stones.  I have been fighting the buggers for over 3 years now.  I have been fighting one in particular for almost 2 weeks straight.  It's not big enough to mandate surgery as the others have but it has been enough to knock me flat on my behind, incapable of performing most of my daily tasks.  What has happened?

So, the question still remains, What has happened?  I'll tell you.  I have aged.  I have given birth to 6 children.  I worked 2 jobs for 2 years and then I worked 3rd shift for 2 years.  I burned my candle at both ends, leaving a mess of  used up, mushy wax with just enough wick left for a flicker when I chose to work rather than be a mother.  My jobs became my priorities and focus, not my family.  Moving up and earning as much as possible became my focus rather than how I may serve Christ better.   When a candle is burned properly, its life is prolonged and provides much use to the ones in need of its light.  There is an even burning providing a steady glow of light.  When the wick is not trimmed and the candle is allowed to burn however it chooses, the flame is sometimes bright and sometimes dull, barely burning as it attempts to lay in the wax. 

Just as a candle needs proper trimming and care, so do mothers.  We must allow Jesus to trim our wicks so that we may burn efficiently and bright enough to make a difference in this world to the people around us.  For many years, I held rebellion in my heart that kept me from doing that.  I was too worried about bills, cars, clothes, a house, food, makeup, and what other people would think of me.  I have paid dearly for this rebellion.  The strong person I used to be, and will eventually be again, was burned up.  I used my candle at both ends instead of letting my master keep me trimmed in His way.  Now that I have let Him have my all, He has started giving me back my joy, my peace, my strength, and courage to help others in this walk. 

I will never be perfect, nor will you, but we can be the best we were designed to be.  Are you strong or weak today?  Where does that weakness come from?  Are you doing what you were designed to do or are you doing what YOU want to do?  While we may be made strong in weakness, that strength comes often after a  hefty price has been paid.  I have never been happier than I am now, but my joy has come much later in life than necessary due to my own foolish decisions.

Standing

I'm not afraid to take a stand.
I'm not afraid to meet your demand.
Upon this rock I firmly stand.

The road may be hard and the journey long,
but I rest comfortably in my Savior's hands.
Each day He gives a song.

When all is said and done,
When all life's work has ended with the setting of the sun,
Who will be left and Who will win?
I will, I will my friend.

In Jesus I have found my eternal end.

It is only on Him that I depend.
On whom do you lean today?
Turn to Christ. There is no other way.

Word of the Day = supercalifragilisticexpialidocious

a nonsense word by children to express approval

Testing

Testing, testing, 1, 2, 3!  Does anyone  out there see me?   If you read my blog please leave a comment below as an anonymous user!  This will help me determine the interest in the blog and frequency of posting!  Thank you!

Stray Dogs and Scarred Hearts

As I was washing dishes today, I heard my army of dogs, in their special way, saying "Hello!  Anybody in there?  Something's not right out here!"  We have fowl.  We have coyotes.  The dogs usually only act this way when a coyote has come to snoop.  My eldest child looked out and saw an unidentifiable dog, appearing to be a mix of some sort.   So, in concern for my fowl, I released one of the army.  The army charged in the direction and rolled the poor visiting snoop.  He ran.  He came back with help.  This time there were two of them.  My same loose army man went after them both this time, rolling the same one as before while the other fled the scene.

I used to do animal rescue so I have a soft spot for strays, so much so that at one point there were 15, YES! 15! dogs here. (I was insane, briefly, but insane none the less)  My first thought was "Oh those poor creatures need help".  So, I got in the car, followed them and called them.  They kept on booking it down the road and through the woods.  Oh well, they made their choice.  They ran from what very well could have helped them.

Why, however, do we feel the need to fix everything around us?  I think this pertains to lots of mothers in particular.  How many times have you seen a stray dog, cat or child in need of love and just wanted to scoop it up and shower them with affection?  Have you ever had your child come up to you and say "Why can't I have just one good friend?"  What emotions did that evoke in your own heart?  What emotions came about as you pondered how they must feel?  This is a question 2 of my children have asked in the past 2 weeks as their "friends" have changed and shown less interest in them.

So being a mom who wants children happy and animals safe,  I began thinking over the people and pets who I could potentially help in my life.  As I pondered I realized the animals were simply a distraction.  It is not right nor necessary to help that (or those) which (who)  flees from the safety and help being offered.  However, when someone comes to you with a broken, scarred heart as my children have, IT IS NECESSARY that all other distractions be put aside in an effort to sincerely help those seeking help.  I cannot imagine the pain they both feel for I have cried for them myself.  It hurts my heart deeply to see my children hurt.  The animals, well, not so much - at least not anywhere near the way it does when my children hurt.

We can help only those who desire the help. All other efforts are wasted and cause our focus to be distracted from those who can benefit the most from what we have to offer.  What or who can you (also read as SHOULD YOU)  refocus on?  Are you helping those who desire help or chasing after the "lost causes"?  Be effective, be efficient, and be epidemic.

Word of the Day  

Effective = prepared and available for service

Soap Box Priorities

Why do people do without?  What is the first answer that comes to mind when you ask yourself this question?  Do you immediately blame the person doing without?  Do you automatically release yourself from all responsibility of their need?   Have you considered any other answer to your question that includes your own responsibility to their need?

There used to be a day when family stuck together through thick and thin.  They helped each other out, even if that meant doing without a frivolity or want so that the other person would have what they needed.  These families are few and far between.   On the same lines, there used to be a day when you could call a friend and state your need, with concern shown and help given.  Ha!  That rarely happens anymore either.

It makes me deeply sad and sickened that people are so consumed with their own lusts, their own wants – wants are different from needs-  and their own personal gain that they can no longer see or care about the needs around them.  You never know who around you may be doing without because they know they can’t ask for help.  They know they will be shunned and scorned.  Once someone asks for help a million times and gets turned down a million times they quit asking.   The prosperity that some people have is not given so that they may consume it of their own lusts.  It is given to help others.   This does not mean you should not drive a better car than Sally Sue, but it means you should not drive a Porsche if your sister has to walk to work, church, the doctor or the grocery store.  It does not mean you should not eat steak while they eat beans but it does mean they should not be hungry while you chow down on Filet Mignon.  In my experience, those who have the least give the most and those who have the most give the least.  This is a general statement, not meant to include everyone, but includes most.  The reason so many do without is because so many retain the wealth they are given.  It is not our responsibility to judge the needs of others as viewed through our faulty human eyes.

I am acquainted with several people who have real needs and are part of families who have the wealth by which to relieve them of some of their problem, if not all,  yet it does not happen.   To whom much is given much is required. 

When is the last time you helped someone because you could?  When is the last time you gave something to someone while you “sacrificed” your extras?   What have you done to make an impression on those around you, so that they know they can count on you?  Not everyone can give and not everyone should give, BUT those who can should help out when, where, and what they can. 

For a scriptural backing of these thoughts see these verses, preferably  in the King James Bible.

Acts 4: 32 – 35 and  James 2: 15

Word of the Day 

Priority = the right to take precedence in obtaining certain supplies, services, facilities, etc., especially during a shortage. 

The Hard Things

The hard things in life force you to walk through fire.  Whether or not you are willing to get burned to reach your destination is totally up to you.  Pride, prejudice,priorities and power may very well stop you, hindering your ability to use clear judgement in making sound decisions.  Are you willing to swallow that big lump of pride in order to save your marriage, your family, your job, or your children?  How much are you willing to lose in order to save your own self-focused goals?  What is it, today, that is most important in your life? Set some goals and work towards them, even if that means walking through the fire.


Word of the Day 

Perseverance =   Steadfastness in doing something despite difficulty or delay in achieving success.

Reality

I'm sorry I haven't blogged in a while.  Reality came to visit. =)  My youngest was sick for about 2 weeks so sleep eluded me quite frequently during this time period.  He is better now, thank the Lord.  Hopefully I will be able to get back to my normal routine before long.

When reality comes knocking on your door in it's oh so various forms, how do you handle it?  Do you have a meltdown?  Do all of your nuts and bolts come unscrewed leaving you a pile of scrap metal in the floor?  OR, are you one of those people who act like a duck, letting all of the rain just roll off your back while holding your head high?  Reality comes to us all but how we handle it determines the reality in which we live.  May I encourage you to be a duck rather than a pile of scrap metal?  Holding your head high and tucking your wings in will leave you (and thus those in your life) peaceful and all in one piece when reality comes knocking.  A whole functioning being is much more valuable than a pile of scrap metal laying in a mess on the floor.

Word of the Day
Reality  =  the state of things as they are or appear to be, rather than as one might wish them to be